Jan's father died this weekend. It wasn't really a surprise - has was suffering from advanced Alzheimer's, and last week he had a serious stroke. I'm glad I'm able to be here with her, and for her.
The poem that follows is Jan's, edited and posted with her permission:
Late April, 2004
His memories
have ascended already
snow falling up
into the starbright night
There he goes:
a small boy pulls a wagon
through a wintry Montana town
he's with my mother
in Cinncinatti
in uniform in Hawaii
fishing with his father
a child sleeps
in a parlour
under a baby grand
frightened of the noises in the barn
he removes a splinter from my finger
with a needle magnifying glass and iodine
drives his burgundy Citroen
plays Chopin Mazurkas while he waits
for mother or me
He grows lighter
and lighter
until he is empty
His soul
released at last
my father
takes his compass
in hand
checks his bearings
and heads home.© J.K.Leininger, 2004
Joe:
My deepest sympathy.
Guys, I'm so sorry. Please hug her for me and know that I'm really, really glad she was with you and not alone.
A.L.
My sincere condolences.
I know how hard it is to see someone you love there in front of you—but, not really there any longer.
Think of the good memories. They will sustain you in your sorrow.
Lili
A beautiful tribute, that poem. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I have four children (three girls) and can only hope that they may remember me so.
Hi.
Long life and good health to you both.
That says so well what many of us think when we lose a parent. Thanks for sharing it. It proves the body is gone and with it his memories but not the survivors.
Ah no, my condolences. I'm so glad that you found each other in time for you to be there with her. She's written a beautiful tribute to her father... I hope that his passage was as full of grace as her poem.